Did you know that a typical HVAC system represents about half (in some cases, even more) of a household’s typical energy costs? These high costs of running an HVAC system has Corsicana homeowners wondering how they can save money spent on electricity bills each month. Well, in today’s blog, we are sharing with you a few simple tips to help you increase the energy efficiency of your HVAC system – and thus, your home.
Are you looking for an HVAC specialist in Corsicana, TX, to get your HVAC unit running more efficiently? Schedule an appointment with Area Wide Services today or visit our HVAC repair page for more information about our services.
Upgrade to an energy-efficient unit.
Modern air conditioners and heat pumps have been designed to use as little energy as possible while providing your Corsicana home with the necessary climate control. Rising energy costs and an effort to make home appliances “green” has prompted HVAC manufacturers to redesign units, so they work more efficiently and cost less. This is good news for those who wish to save money on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint.
An air conditioner’s efficiency is measured by a unit’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, more commonly known as the SEER rating. SEER ratings range from 13 (the lowest) to 22 (the highest). The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient your system will be, but also the higher the price. However, you have to think about the long-term benefit of buying an energy-efficient air conditioner unit. You might shell out a higher amount when you initially buy the system, but you will more than make up for its cost within a year or two because of how much you will save in terms of your energy costs.
Keep the HVAC ducts clean.
An HVAC unit sends temperature-controlled air through a series of ductwork to reach the rooms in a home. This ductwork must be cleaned regularly in order to allow for maximum airflow. A buildup of dust in your ductwork will force your HVAC system to run harder for longer periods of time until the desired temperature is reached. Furthermore, if you are building a new home, make sure the ductwork is installed properly and in the most organized manner to ensure the optimum performance of your HVAC unit.
Keep the air filter clean.
One of the most basic maintenance tasks that any homeowner can tend to is changing their system’s filters on a regular basis. Obstruction in the airflow will cause your HVAC unit to run harder and will significantly reduce the performance of the system. So, it is recommended that you change the air filters every month, more often if you have pets or frequent dust buildup.
Keep the outdoor HVAC unit in good shape.
The job of an HVAC unit is to exhaust air out, so it is best not to have anything around it. A good rule of thumb is to leave a clearance of at least two feet around it and of at least ten feet above it. Remove debris and dirt gathered around the unit as often as necessary to keep it functioning optimally. Leaves, grass, and dust tend to accumulate on outside heating and air conditioning units. These particles can jam up the works unless they are cleaned away from the machinery. Make sure the cement pad where the unit is standing is clean and dry too.
Invest in a programmable thermostat.
Times when you are away from your home present ideal opportunities to lower the thermostat setting and maximize energy savings. That being said, many Corsicana homeowners miss out on this opportunity because they find programming their thermostats manually too time-consuming. Others simply forget. Keeping the optimum temperature setting on your thermostat is made so much easier with programmable thermostats. Most modern programmable thermostats can automatically adjust the temperature setting in your home with a daily or weekly heating program, so you do not have to remember to manually change your settings multiple times a day. In addition, the automatic settings can be manually overridden without interrupting the scheduled programming.
At Area Wide Services, we offer the best-in-class “smart” programmable thermostats from Honeywell. Not only are these wireless thermostats highly accurate in temperature control, but they can also help you save as much as 33% every year on your heating costs. On top of that, Honeywell’s reliable and highly-rated app allows you to program your thermostat directly from your smartphone, taking convenience and manageability to the next level.
Annual tune-ups
Another way to keep your HVAC systems humming along is to have them tuned up annually. If you use yours year-round, you might also want to consider having yours serviced seasonally. Having a professional service technician check all moving parts before the heat of summer or chilly temps of winter arrive is a smart move to ward off big problems or breakdowns when you least expect them.
Other Tips
A few other ways that you can keep your heating and air conditioning unit working smoothly: keep vents open, keep bedroom and bathroom doors open, and be careful to not overtax your machine. Some Corsicana homeowners think they are saving money by closing off vents or closing doors to rooms that are not used much. This is actually a mistake; the ductwork is designed to flow in a specific manner. If some of the airflow is restricted, this can make the entire system struggle to do its job. Keep the vents open, so you do not make your appliance work too hard.
If you take these uncomplicated measures to ensure your HVAC system has the ability to run properly, you will notice a reduction in your energy bills and have a home that is easily climate controlled to your liking.
Conclusion
At Area Wide Services, our licensed Corsicana TX HVAC Specialists can schedule routine tune-ups and maintenance checks to diagnose and repair minor problems with your HVAC system before they grow into larger, more expensive issues and ensure that it is doing a good job of cooling or heating your home efficiently. We will also let you know if it is time for you to upgrade your HVAC unit and suggest the best Energy Star certified system for your needs.
If you want to learn more about our HVAC services in Corsicana, give us a call at (903) 874-5298 to speak with one of our HVAC pros today. Also, please visit our blog for insights on caring for and maintaining your HVAC systems.